Organized by the Westmount Municipal Association, the event begins at 3:30 p.m. with astronomer Tony Moffat, who will present the illustrated talk “Why we need dark skies,” in which he will show how light pollution affects all habitation on Earth, from plants to animals to humans, and how cutting down on excess light not only means energy savings but most importantly better health.
The talk will be followed by coffee and biscuits and discussion at 4:15 p.m. that will continue until 5 p.m. The following Saturday evening, Earth Hour will be celebrated at the Summit Look out in Westmount. Stay tuned for further details.
If you have ever been to an event where M.P. Marc Garneau is the speaker or a guest, you already know he is the first to leave so he can be home with his family — so it is characteristic of him that an event he hosts himself would include family.
The community is invited to join Garneau and his family and members of the Liberal Association of Westmount—Ville-Marie for a family spring brunch on Sunday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hotel Maritime Plaza, 1155 Guy St.
In addition to enjoying a sumptuous meal, participants will have an opportunity to speak with Garneau and other constituents in the riding. Entertainment for children will be provided during the event.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for youth 12 to 16, and no cost for children under 12. Seating is limited and must be reserved by phoning Andre Du Sault at 514-982-1744 or at the riding office at 4060 Ste. Catherine Street West, Suite 340.
Again this summer, community supported agriculture is available in Westmount. Two certified organic farmers will deliver fresh produce to two different pick up sites to subscribed clients starting in late June.
Farmers from Ferme Mange-Tout Farm will be on hand for deliveries and to answer questions on Wednesdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Westmount Athletic Grounds, behind Westmount High School, at Hillside Lane.
Farmers from Les Jardins d’Arlington Gardens will deliver and answer question on Thursdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Westmount Arena on Academy Road.
In community supported agriculture, members pay in advance to receive food from organic farmers throughout the growing season. “This allows the farmers to accurately plan their cash flow and expenses," said program coordinator Joshua Wolfe,
sustainable development co-ordinator for the City of Westmount. "Having the support of members means they can focus more of their time on growing high quality vegetables. Risk is reduced, and the farmers know that what is planted will be used.”
The basket season lasts between 16 and 18 weeks, from late June to late October. The exact date of the first harvest will depend on the weather and growing conditions. Each farm will contact its members in advance to announce the exact date of the first harvest.
For more information or to register as a member contact Wolfe at 514-949-8001 or jwolfe@westmount.org.
Westmount artist Anthony Hobbs will launch his latest series of paintings Sky and Earth at a vernissage at The Gallery at Victoria Hall on Wednesday, March 24 at 6 p.m. In his career as an artist, Hobbs has painted everything from landscape to still life to abstract. It will be interesting to see his latest series of works. For more information phone 514-989-5521.
The Gallery at Victoria Hall is located at 4626 Sherbrooke Street West. To view a collection of Hobbs’ works go to www.artistsincanada.com/php/homepage.php?id=12531
This Sunday, March 21 at 3 p.m., Mountainside United Church will host the second concert in its 2010 Concerts Plus series.
The Maenad Ensemble, with Louise Campbell on clarinet and Amy Zanrosso on piano, will join with mezzo-soprano with Irene Feher to present a program of works by Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Honegger and Andrew MacDonald.
Feher has recently received her doctoral degree in vocal pedagogy from the Schulich School of Music of McGill and teaches at Marianopolis College. Juno Award-winning composer MacDonald is professor of composition and electronic music at Bishop’s University.
A meet and greet session with the performers will follow the concert. Tickets are $15 and $12 for seniors and students and will be on sale at the door Mountainside United Church is located at 4000 The Boulevard, corner of Lansdowne. For more information phone 514-486-1165.
Manoir Westmount residents Diana Jamieson and Yvonne Moody and volunteer Poetry Appreciation leader Ann Lloyd all have been selected to have one of their poems included in the anthology, Celebrating Poets over 70.
Edited by Marianne Vespry and Ellen Ryan, the anticipated publication date is spring/early summer. Some 330 poets submitted over 1,100 poems to be considered for the anthology.
On Thursday, March 25 at 12:30 p.m., the Atwater Library Lunchtime Series will feature author Michael Harrison, who will discuss his book Staying Connected: How MacDougall Family Traditions Built a Business over 160 Years, which he co-authored with James Ferrabee.
The book details the history of Montreal's venerable investment service firm, MacDougall, MacDougall & MacTier, known popularly as the "3 Macs". As always, light refreshments will be served. For more information, phone 514-935-7344.
